Baird promises health spending for Hunter, Labor questions intent

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Newcastle business leaders have praised State Government plans to invest millions of dollars in local hospital projects, but the Opposition is demanding answers on whether local health facilities will be privatised.

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said a re-elected Coalition Government would spend $18 million upgrading the neonatal intensive care unit at Newcastle’s John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

The funds are additional to a $7 million package announced 18 months ago for the first stage of the unit’s overhaul.

The money for stage two and three will come from the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund, set up after the long-term lease of Newcastle port.

Tenders were called for stage one of the upgrade last month, and Mr Baird said that should get underway in the coming months.

“Obviously child care is critical,” Mr Baird told a business breakfast in Newcastle.

“The work that John Hunter does is incredible, and we’ll be providing additional facilities to match what is required in terms of delivery of the neonatal services.”

Lower Hunter hospital planning fast-tracked

Mr Baird also announced $25 million to bring forward planning for a new Maitland Lower Hunter hospital at Metford.

“That the project will start next term and be completed the term after,” Mr Baird said.

“It is one of the fastest growing regions in the state and you need to have the infrastructure to match it.”

Labor’s health spokesman Walt Secord said Mr Baird must reveal any involvement the private sector would have in the project.

“It’s time Premier Baird answers questions on [the new] Maitland hospital,” he said.

“They’ve been refusing to say whether it’ll be a private or public hospital.

“With Labor the choice will be very clear: Maitland Hospital will be run by the community, owned by the community for patients.

“The Liberals want a private hospital run for shareholders.”

Hunter Business Chamber president Ross Taggart said Mr Baird was keeping his promises to the region.

“The Premier is very passionate about the region, a regular visitor,” he said.

“This is his third time to a Hunter Business Chamber function since December last year.

“He had some real promising announcements on spending for the Hunter region again.”